Kokorazashi - What does it mean?

KOKoRazashi is built from two distinctive elements

The base character (Kokaru) is grounding. The top character (Sasu) cuts through.

The dichotomy of Kokorazashi is its distinctive value. To move from one to the other needs wisdom, support and challenge.

kokoru - “Mother Earth”

Mother Earth grounds us. Words associated with Kokoru are

• Big Picture and a Broad perspective

• Hearts and Minds

• Long term, lifetime and beyond

• Meaning and Purpose

• Happiness

Being aware of our situation, our many opportunities, our dreams, what we love, what we appreciate and what fulfils us needs reflection, discovery and self-awareness. We need awareness of others, and of the many frailties of humans and the uncertainties of the real world.

Sasu - “The virtuous warrior” - The Samurai

The Samurai is about taking action. Words associated with Sasu are

• Execution and delivery

• Focus, priorities and discipline

• Habits, rituals and behaviours

• Success, winning, victory

• Persona - how we show up

To be the Samurai we need personal discipline, clarity and focused goals. We lead people in a certain way, with clear values, to achieve success and personal growth, using tools, rituals and processes and a fully intentional mindset.

KOKORAZAshi - “The Heart of the Samurai”

Kokorazashi is about the two elements working together. This is about making decisions.

At the interface between Kokoru and Sasu are the hard choices. Wise counsel is needed to navigate and to make these choices. These are lonely decisions, choices between self and others, between comfort and growth, between gratification now and fulfilment later, whether in personal or professional choices.

Making these hard choices and lonely decisions are helped by a mentor or a group of peers. Decisions at this level need conversation, exploration of the implications and clarity of the options. We always have a choice. About what we do and how we respond to our feelings.